Eminem Awarded Over $400K in Damages From New Zealand Political Party

A New Zealand judge ruled that the conservative National Party breached copyright on Eminem's "Lose Yourself" when they used a similar song in their campaign ads.

On Wednesday, High Court Judge Helen Cull ordered the party to pay the Detroit rapper 600,000 New Zealand dollars ($415,000) plus interest in damages, reports Billboard.

“We think it’s a very strong judgment, and a cautionary tale for people who make or use sound-alikes around the world,” said Adam Simpson, a Sydney-based lawyer who represented Eminem publisher Eight Mile Style. “We hope that we see more original music in advertising as a result, and that writers get properly acknowledged and rewarded for their hard work.”

The judge reportedly based the amount of the award on a "hypothetical license fee that the party might have paid to use the song," reports Billboard, noting that Eight Mile Style rarely grants permission to use “Lose Yourself” in advertising.

The National Party President said they are now considering their next steps and have lodged a claim against the company that supplied them with the song.